Combustible core with interior pipe holding means

ABSTRACT

This is a device for forming vents or bores in concrete walls or floors. Basically, it consists of a sleeve containing a semirigid thermoplastic material or the like and means incorporated therein which, when ignited, either melt or burn out the core. These are inserted within the forms or on the floor surface prior to the pouring of concrete or the like and may remain in place in the finished wall or floor until they are required. In one embodiment, the entire core may be removed after ignition and in another, a flexible material such as sponge rubber or plastic is used which softens after a central core has been ignited. This enables a pipe such as a water pipe to be pushed through the softened material which seals therearound thus forming a sealed junction where the pipe extends through the wall.

United States Patent [1 1 Diener NOV. 25, I975 l l CUHBL'STIBLE COREWITH INTERIOR PIPE HOLDING MEANS Erhard Armin Diener, Saskatoom Canada[75] lmentor:

[731 Assignee; Industrial Dewlopment Bank.

Saskatoon Canada 23 riictr m). 7 1974 31 .\ppl NU 440,589

[3t]! Foreign Application Priority Data [Sll LS (Tlv 249/62;249/|77:415/D[G. l2 lill InLClr v i I I I t i i. 8283 7/34 [51%| Fieldof SearchHmm. 249/6l-63, Z-WllVT-l 7t, l83-l84. 264/3l7. DIG. 44;425/DIG. l2

[F l References Cited LNITED STATES PATENTS ll lfihl MIHl SlUl/ I W249/183 IFMLl WW5: Wilhelm et al v 249/62 lltthli lH Ttl lii \K'itlnck1JWl77 Miclalak 249/9l Hilgcman. Jr t. 149/61 3.l97.l7l 3.631.724

Primary Emmi:ierRobert D, Baldwin Assistant Emmincr-John McQuadeAttorney, Agent. or Firm-startle G Ade l 5 7 l ABSTRACT This is a devicefor forming \ents or bores in concrete walls or floors Basically itconsists of a sleme containing a semi-rigid thermoplastic material orthe like and means incorporated therein ultich. when ignited. eithermelt or burn out the core. These are inserted within the forms or on thefloor surface prior to the pouring of concrete or the like and ma remainin place in the finished wall or floor until they are required, In oneembodiment, the entire core may be removed after ignition and inanother; a flexible material such as sponge rubber or plastic is usedwhich softens after a central core has been ignited, This enables a pipesuch as a water pipe to be pushed through the softened material whichseals therearound thus forming a sealed junction where the pipe extendsthrough the wall.

10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov.25, 1975 SheetlofZ3,921,953

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,921,953

COMBUSTIBLE CORE WITH INTERIOR PIPE HOLDING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in theformation of holes or vents in concrete floors or walls.

Normally, a metal sleeve or the like is installed prior to the pouringofconcrete which is then removed when the concrete has set.Alternatively. the concrete has to be drilled in order to form the holethrough which various pipes. conduits and the like are required to pass.Such conduits may include dryer vents, bathroom vents. air intakes,venting openings, water, gas and electrical conduits and the like.

The present methods suffer from several disadvantages. Obviously whenconcrete has to be drilled after it has set, considerable time andeffort is required. Furthermore, it is difficult to form an aperturethrough a concrete wall which is of the correct dimension and which isprovided with relatively smooth sides. This means that the wall has tobe patched and filled after the conduit or the like has been extendedthrough the concrete wall or floor.

The metal sleeve also suffers from several disadvantages inasmuch as itis usually relatively thin walled which wall is easily distorted duringthe pouring of the concrete. Furthermore, when the walls and/or floorare poured, it is not always known exactly where such vents are requiredand furthermore, if they are not required immediately, they have to betemporarily filled or sealed in order to preserve the integrity of thewall or floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes thesedisadvantages by providing a core form device which, in the case ofwalls, may be placed between the forms prior to the pouring of concreteand which, in the case of floors, may be placed in the desired locationprior to the pouring of the concrete floor.

Once of the concrete has been set and forms are removed, the device maybe fired immediately or may be left until it is desired to form a holeor vent through the concrete wall. If the vent is not required at thepresent time, the device completely seals the wall and may be left untilit is desired to utilize such a hole or bore within the wall or floor.

The device includes a semi-rigid core of a cellular thermoplasticmaterial together with an ignition cord or the like embedded thereinwhich, when fired, either melts or partially burns the core so that theaperture or bore is easily cleared out and ready to receive the conduitor sleeve which will pass through the wall.

The principal object and essence of the invention is therefore toprovide a device of the character herewithin described which can beinserted within the wall forms or placed upon the floor supportingsurface whereupon concrete or the like can be poured therearound toembed the device therein. In the wall embodiment, the ends of the deviceare then flush with the outer surfaces of the concrete once the formsare removed and with the floor device, the upper surface is just belowthe surface of the concrete floor and this particular device includes anupstanding indicator device so that it can be readily located whendesired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterherewithin described which. when used between concrete forms. iscompressible in length within limits to facilitate the engagementthereof between the forms. Furthermore, the ends include friction gripmeans which will engage the wood forms and locate the device in thedesired position and maintain same in this position during the pouringof the concrete or the like therein between the forms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterherewithin described, one embodiment of which permits the pipe to beinserted through the device and to be sealed therein once it has been soinserted.

Summarizing, a device is provided which enables holes or bores of anydiameter within reason. to be formed in concrete walls or floors afterthe pouring thereof and after the walls have hardened and the forms havebeen removed.

With the foregoing objects in view, and other such objects andadvantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to whichthis invention relates as this specification proceeds, my inventionconsists es' sentially in the arrangement and construction of parts allas hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of oneembodiment of the device in the fully compressed condition.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing same between two formsand in the expanded position.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the uppercover portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the device.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of a concrete floor showing afurther embodiment of the device situated therein.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary isometric view of a concrete wall form showingone of the devices inserted therebetween.

FIG. II is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing one method offriction gripping of the device against the form.

FIG. 12 shows a fragmentary isometric view of a formed concrete wallwith the device in use therein.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Processing therefore to describe the invention indetail, reference should first be made to FIG. I0 which illustrates aportion of a concrete form structure [0 for forming concrete walls 11and it will be noted that the form structure I0 includes an inner formI2 and an outer form 13 maintained in spaced and parallel relationshipone with the other. Concrete or the like is poured between these formsand when the concrete hardens, the forms are stripped off thus leavingthe concrete walls 11 as clearly shown in FIG. 12.

When it is desired to provide apertures or vent means through thesewalls. the device of the present invention is utilized and dealing firstwith the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the device includesa cylindrical sleeve 14 made of plastic, cardboard or the like and beingsurrounded by a flexible plastic wrap 15 which is twisted at the ends 16to enclose the device and to prevent moisture from entering therein.

Sliding end caps 16' and 17 are provided, said end caps including anannular flange portion l8 and a circular end disc portion 19. Theannular flange portions are slidably engaged within the ends of thecylindrical sleeve 14.

Situated within the sleeve 14 and in a slidable rela' tionshiptherewithin, is a pair of core portions 20 and 20'. Each of theseportions is cylindrical having a diameter similar to the diameter of theinside of the sleeve 14. They are formed preferably from a semi-rigidmaterial such as a thermoplastic such as styrofoam or the like, saidplastic having the capability of melting under heat and partiallyburning.

Any form of plastic which satisfies these physical conditions can beused and each portion 20 is provided with a reinforcing disc 21 situatedconcentrically within the inner ends of the portions.

A compression spring 22 extends between the reinforcing discs 21 andnormally biasses the portions away from one another and against the endcaps 16' and I7.

Means to ignite the plastic are provided and in this embodiment take theform of ignitor cords 22 which are embedded throughout the plastic cores20 and 20' and extend substantially from one end to the other. It willbe noted that these ignitor cords also span the area 23 between theinner surfaces of the two portions 20 and 20.

These cords are commercially available and have the capacity of burningwithout oxygen, the necessary oxygen being provided within thecomposition of the cords.

Situated concentrically on the end caps 16' is a detachable coverportion 24 and one embodiment of such cover portion is shown in FIG. 4.A plastic disc is sealed at one side thereof as indicated at 25 and issnap engaged upon a projection 26 extending upwardly from the circulardisc 19.

This circular disc is apertured underneath the cover portion 24, saidaperture being indicated by reference character 27 and a relativelysmall cylindrical sleeve 28 is formed around this aperture internally ofa cover portion 16'. Means to ignite the cord 22' are provided and, inthis embodiment, take the form of an extending portion 22A of theignitor cord which is coiled loosely within the space below the cover 24so that disengagement of the cover permits access to this portion whichcan be used to ignite the ignitor cord.

Means are provided to maintain the portions 20 and 20' together with theend caps 16' and 17 in the fully compressed position shown in FIG. 1until ready for use.

A flexible strap assembly 28 extends around the sleeve and over both endcaps 16 and 17. The device is compressed manually and the strap istightened by the buckle assembly 29.

In use. the device is positioned between the forms 12 and 13 manually,whereupon the strap assembly is severed or cut. This permits spring 22to move the two core portions 20 and 20 away from one another and tourge the end caps 16' and 17 outwardly relative to the sleeve 14 so thatthey engage the inner surfaces of the forms 12 and 13 as clearly shownin FIG. 2. Small pointed projections 29' may be formed on the outersurface of the end caps 16' and [7 to assist in frictionally maintainingthe device in the desired position be tween the forms 12 and 13 and toreinforce the frictional engagement caused by spring 22.

The concrete or the like is poured between the forms and allowed to setwhereupon the forms are peeled away and the device is embedded withinthe concrete with the circular discs 19 of the end caps being flush withthe outer surfaces of the concrete walls 11.

When it is desired to form the vent through the concrete wall. theflexible plastic wrap 15 covering the end cap or cover 24 is broken andthe cover 24 is removed thus exposing the portion of the ignitor cord22A. This is ignited and after burning has taken place. the cores arepartially melted and charred so that they can easily be knocked out ofthe concrete wall as clearly shown in FIG. 12, it being understood thatthe end caps [6' and 17 are removed prior to knocking out the core. Thisleaves a completely smooth bore of the desired dimension adapted toreceive the necessary conduit or vent pipe as desired.

When it is desired to utilize the device for the insertion of relativelysmall diameter pipes such as gas, water and electricity conduits. theembodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is preferred.

This embodiment includes a cylindrical sleeve 30 formed of similarmaterial to sleeve 14 and being filled with a semi-rigid plasticmaterial such as plastic or foam rubber indicated by reference character31.

End sleeves 32 are provided and take the form of rel atively smallcylindrical portions which are slidably engageable within the ends ofthe sleeve 30 and the outer edges of these sleeves are serrated asindicated by reference character 33 to act as friction engaging meanswithin forms 12 and 13 similar to the projections 29' hereinbeforedescribed.

The end sleeve 32' situated at the upper end of sleeve 30 with referenceto the drawings, is provided with in wardly extending projections 34intermediate the ends thereof against which a plastic disc 35 engagesfrom the inner end of the end sleeve 32 and the end of the foam 31engages this disc and restrained thereby as clearly shown.

This disc is centrally apertured and a small cup-like portion 36 isfrictionally engaged within this aperture with the open side of the cupfacing outwardly.

The other end sleeve portion 32 is also provided with inwardly extendingprojections 34 and the other end of the foam engages with theprojections and is restricted against outward movement by thoseprojections.

This means that the two end portions or sleeves 32 can be compressedinwardly relative to the sleeve 30 thus compressing the foam 31 and whenthis pressure is released, the compressed foam will expandlongitudinally thus moving the two end sleeve portions out wardly awayfrom one another and this compressibility of the effective length of thedevice is used to engage this embodiment between the forms 12 and 13with the compression of the foam 31 providing the necessary force toengage the serrated edges 33 against the inside of the foam.

The position of the serrations relative to the forms is shown clearly inFIG. II.

The cylindrical form 38 is embedded coaxially within the foam 31 andterminates spaced from the ends thereof as illustrated in FIG. 7 andthis form is preferably hollow and manufactured from a material which isburnable.

lgnitor means taking the form of an ignitor cord 39 is spirally woundaround this form and extends from one end to the other with one endextending into a relatively small cylindrical bore 40 formed in the oneend of the foam as an extension to the form 38 and this extended portion39A acts as ignitor means for the ignitor cord 39. At this end of thedevice. a detachable foam plug 41 engages within the portion of the endsleeve beyond the projections 34 and not only protects the ignitor cordportion 39A against the ingress of moisture or the like, but acts as asmooth outer surface to the concrete walls 11 until it is desired toform the aperture or bore through the concrete walls.

The other or upper end sleeve 32 may also be provided with a detachablefoam plug similar to plug 41.

In operation of this device, the end sleeve portions 32 are manuallycompressed one towards the other thus compressing the foam 31 andallowing the device to be slipped between the forms 12 and 13 and to bepositioned where desired. A release of this pressure enables the foam 3]to expand the end sleeves outwardly away from one another so that theserrations 33 engage the inner surfaces of the concrete walls forms 12and 13.

After the wall has been formed and the forms have been removed, theouter surfaces of the foam plugs 41 or the equivalent are flush with thesurfaces of the wall. When it is desired to form the bore through thewall, these end plugs 41 are removed and the ignitor cord portion 39A ispulled from the recess 40 and ignited. The cord is similar to thathereinbefore described and burns throughout the length together with thefoam 38.

This softens and melts the foam 31 whereupon a conduit such as a waterpipe or the like indicated in phantom by reference character 42, can bepushed through. In this regard. the end of the pipe 42 is engaged withinthe cup 36 which protects the end particularly if the end is threaded asindicated by reference character 43. The pipe is pushed longitudinallythrough the foam which is partially melted until it extends clearthrough the wall and is located in the desired relationship with thewall. As the partially melted foam hardens, it seals around the pipe orconduit thus sealing it in position within the wall 11 yet stillallowing slight resiliency which facilitates the attachment of furtherconduits upon the ends of said pipe or conduit 42. This gives acompletely sealed bore through the wall and enables conudits of varioussizes within limits, to be engaged therethrough.

Reference should next be made to FIGS. 8 and 9 which show an embodimentof the device specifically designed for use in concrete floors whereinit may be desirable to form a bore or opening through the floor toconnect, for example, with a sewer outlet 44.

The device includes a cylindrical sleeve 45 similar to sleeves l4 and 30having an upper end cap 46 engageable therein. The entire device may bewrapped in flexible plastic similar to plastic 15.

A cylindrical core 47 is inserted within the sleeve 45 and ismanufactured from a semi-rigid cellular thermoplastic material such asstyrofoam and ignitor cords 48 are embedded within this core asillustrated in FIG. 9.

These ignitor cords terminate in a common ignitor portion 49 extendingthrough an aperture within the cover 46.

Flexible locator means 50 may take the form of a rubber projection whichis snap engaged within the aperture in the cover 46 and protects theignitor portion 49. In use, the device is placed in the desired positionupon the base 51 upon which the floor will be poured whereupon theconcrete floor 52 is poured therearound. The upper surface 53 of theconcrete floor is situated just slightly above the upper surface of thecover 46 with the locator means 50 extending through the upper surfaceas clearly illustrated.

This enables the device to be located when it is desired to form thebore through the floor. Under these circumstances, the relatively thinfilm of concrete 53A is broken away and the locator 50 is pulled fromthe aperture within the cover so that the ignitor portion 49 is exposed.This is ignited thus igniting the cords 48 whereupon the cover 46 isremoved and the partially burned and melted core 47 is cleared out thusleaving a smooth cylindrical bore through the concrete which can be usedas desired.

Referring back to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it shouldalso be noted that a flexible plastic cover 15A also is engaged aroundthis sleeve 30 in a rnanner similar to the cover 15 in order to preventmoisture from entering the device.

The ignitor cord is preferably made from a stranded wire which enclosesthe ignitable material. It is available commercially under the trademark THERMO- LITE lGNlTOR CORD" manufactured by Canadian IndustriesLimited and one example of the ignitable material is given belowalthough, of course, other materials can be used either together or incombination which produces the desired results COMPOUND CHEMICALS:

Polysar Latex (Synthetic) Sulphur Potassium Oleate Soap Trimene BaseZinc Oxide Dispersion Enthazate SO-D Sodium Silico Fluoride OXAF-WPotassium Nitrate Carbon Monsanto Lampblack Water The mixing proportionsand procedures are given as follows:

MIXING PROPORTIONS AND PROCEDURES:

The procedure of mixing is as follows. Mix the Potassium Oleate Soap andwater with the Polysar Latex Mix. Weigh the carbon and sulfur togetherand intermix well in a pestle and motar. This carbon and sulfur is thenadded to the mixing bowl with the soap. water and latex and theingredients are beaten to a fairly stiff mix.

. The Potassium Nitrate is then added together with the Sodium SilicoFluoride and the remainder of the ingredients and the whole is beatenfor a further 30 seconds thus giving a flexible mass which can be usedand which then hardens and forms a burnable material not requiringexternal oxygen.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made7 within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in :1 limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A vent forming device for walls and floors of concrete and the likeadapted to be embedded in the wall or floor when same are poured;comprising in combination a substantially cylindrical sleeve. a core ofsemirigid material within said sleeve, flammable means extending throughsaid core which, when ignited, partially melts said core, and ignitingmeans connected to said flammable means and extending from one end ofsaid core for igniting said flammable means, said flammable meansincluding a rigid flammable form extending axially within said core, butterminating spaced from the ends thereof and an ignitor card spirallywound around said form and extending from one end thereof to the other,one end of said ignitor cord extending from one end of said sleeve andconstituting said igniting means.

2. The device according to claim 1 which includes an end portion at eachend of said sleeve, at least one of said end portions being slidablerelative to said sleeve, means cooperating between said end portion andsaid core whereby said core is compressible along the longitudinal axisthereof by pressure between said end por- 8 tion and said sleeve, tofacilitate the insertion of said device between the associated spacedand parallel forms.

3. The device according to claim 2 which includes friction grip means onsaid end portions engageable with the associated forms to maintain saiddevice in position between the associated forms.

4. The device according to claim 2 in which said core is formed from acompressible foam material.

5. The device according to claim 3 in which said core is formed from acompressible foam material.

6. The device according to claim 1 which includes a pipe engaging cupsituated concentrically within said other end of said core.

7. The device according to claim 2 which includes a pipe engaging cupsituated concentrically within said other end of said core 8. The deviceaccording to claim 3 which includes a pipe engaging cup situatedconcentrically within said other end of said core.

9. The device according to claim 4 which includes a pipe engaging cupsituated concentrically within said other end of said core.

10. The device according to claim 5 which includes a pipe engaging cupsituated concentrically within said other end of said core.

1. A vent forming device for walls and floors of concrete and the likeadapted to be embedded in the wall or floor when same are poured;comprising in combination a substantially cylindrical sleeve, a core ofsemi-rigid material within said sleeve, flammable means extendingthrough said core which, when ignited, partially melts said core, andigniting means connected to said flammable means and extending from oneend of said core for igniting said flammable means, said flammable meansincluding a rigid flammable form extending axially within said core, butterminating spaced from the ends thereof and an ignitor card spirallywound around said form and extending from one end thereof to the other,one end of said ignitor cord extending from one end of said sleeve andconstituting said igniting means.
 2. The device according to claim 1which includes an end portion at each end of said sleeve, at least oneof said end portions being slidable relative to said sleeve, meanscooperating between said end portion and said core whereby said core iscompressible along the longitudinal axis thereof by pressure betweensaid end portion and said sleeve, to facilitate the insertion of saiddevice between the associated spaced and parallel forms.
 3. The deviceaccording to claim 2 which includes friction grip means on said endportions engageable with the associated forms to maintain said device inposition between the associated forms.
 4. The device according to claim2 in which said core is formed from a compressible foam material.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 3 in which said core is formed from acompressible foam material.
 6. The device according to claim 1 whichincludes a pipe engaging cup situated concentrically within said otherend of said core.
 7. The device according to claim 2 which includes apipe engaging cup situated concentrically within said other end of saidcore.
 8. The device according to claim 3 which includes a pipe engagingcup situated concentrically within said other end of said core.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 4 which includes a pipe engaging cup situatedconcentrically within said other end of said core.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 5 which includes a pipe engaging cup situatedconcentrically within said other end of said core.